Health and Care Problems - Typhoid Fever

What is typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is a serious disease spread by contaminated food and water. Symptoms of typhoid include lasting high fevers, weakness, stomach pains, headache, and loss of appetite. Some patients have constipation, and some have a rash. Internal bleeding and death can occur but are rare.

Who is at risk? Typhoid fever is common in most parts of the world except in industrialized regions such as the United States, Canada, western Europe, Australia, and Japan, so travelers to the developing world should consider taking precautions. Travelers to Asia, Africa, and Latin America are especially at risk, and the highest risk for typhoid is in south Asia. About 300 people get typhoid fever in the United States each year, and most of these people have recently traveled.

About 22 million cases of typhoid fever and 200,000 related deaths occur worldwide each year. What can travelers do to prevent typhoid fever? Get vaccinated for typhoid: woman getting vaccination Ask your doctor or nurse about a typhoid vaccine. This could be pills or a shot, and your doctor will help you decide which one is best for you. Typhoid vaccine is only 50%-80% effective, so you should still be careful about what you eat and drink. (See tips below.) See Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) Adobe PDF file for more information. Eat safe foods: Eat Food that is cooked and served hot Hard-cooked eggs Fruits and vegetables you have washed in clean water or peeled yourself Pasteurized dairy products Article Resource By http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/

Fitness Fast Care - Yellow Fever

What is yellow fever? Aedes aegypti mosquito Yellow fever is a disease caused a virus, which is spread through mosquito bites. Symptoms take 3–6 days to develop and include fever, chills, headache problems, backache, and muscle aches. About 15% of people who get yellow fever develop serious illness that can lead to bleeding, shock, organ failure, and sometimes death. Who is at risk?

You should receive a yellow card called the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) to prove that you have had yellow fever vaccine. Some countries require all travelers to show proof of yellow fever vaccination before they can enter the country. Other countries require proof of vaccination only if travelers have been in a risk area, so if you are visiting multiple countries, the order of travel may be important. Proof of vaccination is not valid until 10 days after you get the vaccine, so plan to get the vaccine early if you need it.

Travelers to certain parts of South America Adobe PDF file and Africa Adobe PDF file are at risk for yellow fever. See the box below for specific information about the country where you are traveling. What can travelers do to prevent yellow fever? Travelers can protect themselves from yellow fever by getting yellow fever vaccine and preventing mosquito bites. Get yellow fever vaccine if recommended or if required: Visit a yellow fever vaccination (travel) clinic and ask for a yellow fever vaccine. You should receive this vaccine at least 10 days before your trip.

After receiving the vaccine, you will receive a signed and stamped International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP, sometimes called the “yellow card”), which you must bring with you on your trip. The vaccine lasts for 10 years. In rare cases, the yellow fever vaccine can have serious and sometimes fatal side effects. People older than 60 years and people with weakened immune systems might be at higher risk of developing these side effects. Also, there are special concerns for pregnant and nursing women. Talk to your doctor about whether you should get the vaccine. Note: CDC’s recommendation is different from the country’s requirement.

A vaccine recommendation is designed to keep you from getting yellow fever; a vaccine requirement is the country’s attempt to keep travelers from bringing the yellow fever virus into the country. CDC does not have any control over other countries’ vaccine requirements or how they are enforced. Prevent mosquito bites: Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. Use an appropriate insect repellent as directed. Higher percentages of active ingredient provide longer protection.

Use products with the following active ingredients: DEETExternal Web Site Icon (Products containing DEET include Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, and Ultrathon) Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin products containing picaridin include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan [outside the US]) Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (Products containing OLE include Repel and Off! Botanicals) IR3535 (Products containing IR3535 include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart) Always follow product directions and reapply as directed: man spraying insect repellent on his arm If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second. Follow package directions when applying repellent on children External Web Site Icon.

Avoid applying repellent to their hands, eyes, and mouth. Use permethrin-treated External Web Site Icon clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself: Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See the product information to find out how long the protection will last. If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully. Do not use permethrin directly on skin. Stay and sleep in screened or air conditioned rooms. Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors. If you are bitten by mosquitoes: Avoid scratching mosquito bites. Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching Article Resource by http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/